MEPs vote to let aviation off the hook for vague hope of future global action

3.4.2014 15:20

An agreement to revise how the aviation sector is included in the EU emissions trading scheme was today endorsed by the European Parliament. The Greens hit out at the agreement, which would prolong the exclusion of international aviation from the EU’s emissions trading scheme for 4 extra years. Commenting on the outcome, Green climate change spokesperson Satu Hassi (MEP, Finland) stated:

“MEPs have today voted to let most of the aviation sector off the hook for its growing climate change impact in exchange for the vague hope of future global action. Excluding international aviation from the emissions trading scheme for 4 extra years will mean 4 more years of growth in airline emissions, undermining the emissions reductions from most other EU sectors.

“The original legislation including aviation in the EU’s emissions trading scheme covers one-third of global aviation emissions; it is reckless to dismantle this effective climate policy instrument in exchange for a vague promise on a global scheme in the distant future without guarantees of environmental integrity or ambition. The actions of Airbus and the European airlines to undermine EU climate policy have been shameless and discredit the sector as a constructive partner for the future.”